Silent-chain-assembling machine.



0. H. SPENCER 6L F. l.. OAKES. swam cHAiN AssEM'LING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED'APR.24, I9I6. 1,256,44. Patented Feb. 19, 1918.

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SILENT CHAI-N ASSEMBLING MACHINE.

APPLICATIONTILED APR. 24. |916. f 1,256,944. v Patented Feb. 19,1918.

- 4 SHEETSLSHEET 2 INVENTOHS E N 1 H i, ,iw fw A e @fr i B M e r i WIT/VESSES'.' Wm ZZ 0. H. SPENCER- 64 F. J. OAKES.

A'S'IL'ENT CHAIN ASSEMBLING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FIIL-ED APR. 24, 1916.

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WIT/VESSESL A TTHNE v o. H. SPENCER se F; 1.. (1A-NES. SILENT CHAIN ASSENBLING MACHINE.

415,256,944. "www" mm mi" 9'6" Peteneed Neb. 19,191 8,

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UNITED sTATEs rATElSI'ri oEEroE.

OWEN H. SPENCER AND FRANK J. OAKES, OF INDIANAFOLIS, INDIANA, ASSIGNORS TO LINK-BELT COMPANY, 0F CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, CORPORATION OF ILLINOIS.

SILENT-CHAIN-ASSEMBLING MACHINE.

Specication of Letters Patent.

Patented Feb. 19, 1918.

Application led April 24, `1916. Serial No. 93,324.

To all whom t may concern:

Be it known that we, OWEN H. SPENCER and FRANK J. OAKES, citizens of the United States, residing at Indianapolis, in the county of Marion and State of Indiana, have invented a new and useful Silent- ChainAssembling Machine, of which the following is a specification.

In the manufacture of silent chains, it has heretofore been necessary 'to assemble the vchain by placing the links in position manually, so that it was necessary to handle each link individually. This required great labor and expense,

It is the object of our invention to, provide means for assembling the links of a silent chain automatically so that it is only necessary to insert the pivot pins to complete the chains. f

Theaccompanying drawingsillustrate our invention. Figure lis a plan view of an assembling apparatus embodying our invention; Fig. 2 is a side elevation thereof; Fig. 3 is a perspective view of a fragment of the assembling slide rails and base; Fig. 4 is an enlarged detail, partly in section and partly in side elevation, showing the mechanism for depositing the links from the magazines on to the slide rails; and Fig. 5 is a frag-v mentary view of part of the assembled chain.

A frame 10 suitably supports an inclined slide-base l1 projecting from the upper face of which are a number of strips 12 and 13 alternating with each other. The strips 12 remain in contact with the slide base 11 for the full length of the latter,'but the strips 13 are in contact with the base 11 only at their' lower ends, and a short distance away from from Fig. 2. The strips 12 and 13, with the such lower ends are bent up at a slightoblique angle thereto, as clear from Figs. 2 and 3, the upper parts of the strips 1-3 being .provided with a second slide base 14 like `the base 11 but even at its lower edge sufficiently far above the tops of the strips 12 so that links which slide down astride the strips 12' clear such slide base 14. as clear slide bases 11 and 14, in effect comprise groups of slides or link conveyers such as shown in the co-pending application of Frank J. Oakes, Ser. No, 93,326, of even filing date herewith. Each strip coperates with the adjacent part of the slide base 11 or 14 to form a conveyer down which links may slide astride the strips. Adjacent strips '12 and 13 are spaced apart by such a distance that the pitch holes for receiving the pivot pins in links astride strips 12 register with those in the overlapping links astride adjacent strips 13, when such links reach the lower end of the slide base 11, this spacing between strips being equal to the pitch of the chain. 'i

The strips 12 and 13 do not extend all the way to the lower end of the base 10, but the -lower end of such base is provided with a At their upper ends, the strips 12 and 13 receive their supplies vof links from two sets of magazines 30 and 31. These magazines are conveniently vertical` and of such size that each can receive within it a pile of-silent chain links 32 with the links arranged tlatwise one on top of the other with their respective link points and pitch holes all registering, and the link points ally pointing in the same direction-to the left in Figs. 1, 2, and 4. The mechanism for getting the linksinto vtheir' side-by-side arrangement forms the subject-matter of other inventions. The magazines of the group 30 are arranged so that the crotches of the links 32 within them are in the same vertical planes with the respective strips 12, and the magazines of the group 31 are arranged so that the crotches of the links 32 withinthem are in the same-vertical planes with the respective strips 13. At the bottoms'of the two groups of magazines 30 and 31 are two placm cylinders 34 and 35 rotatable on horizonta axes and provided with Vcircumferential grooves in the planes of the strips 12 and- 13, into y(or any other desirednuinber of links), and

may be varied in depth, as by shims 36 vand37;- and may be moved to register eitherwith the lower'ends of the magazines 30 and 31, in which position the' cylinder '35 is shown in Figs. 2 and 4, or to register with the strips 12 and 13, in which position'the cylinder 34 is shown in such twov figures. The cylinders 34 and 35l are operated 'alternately, so as to deposit links alternately on the slide rails 12 and on the slide rails 13;

and each may be moved any desired number of times at each period o operation while the other remains at rest, so as to provide any desired final grouping of the -links on the assemblin plate 21.

motion of the cylinders-34A guided in their movements and connected at their lower .ends .to levers'44 'and 45 which :may be springvpre'ssed downward by springs 46 and 47. yThese levers 44 and 45 are suiti vably mounted on pivot pins 46 and 47 and are provided with rollers .48 and 49 which cooperate with'cams 50 and 51, each of which may. haveany ections 52.

desired number of cam pro- In operation, the magazines and 31 are n suitably filled with links 32, and an assem- Vbling plate-21 is placed in the groove 20.

Then the cams'50 4and 51 are rotated.- As

posed of crotched lmks compris1ng a series' -each cam projection passes under the rollery 48 and 49, it first elevates such roller and then'allows it to fall under the action of the springs 46 and 47,:v thus turning the assoclatedcylinder 34 or 35 from theposition in `which the cylinder 35 is shown in Fig..4 to the position in which the cylinder 34 is shown in such figure and return, thereby removing one link I(or more than one if desired) from the bottom ofveach magazine of the group 30 or 31 and depositing such link astride the vcorresponding slide rail ,12 or '.13 with thepoints of the link downward With two cam projections 52 ,on each cam 50 and 51, there willv be two complete movements of the cylinder 34, then two complete 'movements of the-(cylinder 35, then two com'- plete movements. of the cylinder34, and so on, as long as the rotation ofjthe cams'` 50 Thus two links are on each slide rail 13, then two links on each slide rail 12, and so on, groupsof two links each' being placed alternately on the vslide rails 12 and the slide rails 13. As the cylinders 3 4 and 35 rotate, the links are held in the pockets 36 and 37- by guide plates 55 until th'e end.l of thecounter-clockwise rotation" -Y (Figs. 2 .and 4) ,l butfpass outv from under such-gu1de plates when the slide rails 122er Athat links placed thereon, will v13 are reached, so that the links will slide out ofthe pockets 36 Iand 37 on to the slide rails 12 and13. The links slide down the slide rails 12 v.and 13, as shown in Fig. 2, and

on to the registering ridges or slide .rails 22 of the assembling plate 21, piling up on such lridges 22 in the 'same alternate arrangement in which they are deposited on the upper" ends of .the slide rails 12 and l13; this arrangement in the case shown in Figs. 4 and 5 being two links in a overlapping and 'breaking joints. The number of links ina group may be varied-by varyingthe number of cam projections 52 -on'the c'ams 50 and 51; if only one such cam projection is provided on each cam the alternating and overlapping groups of links group with the groups each contain but one link, as illustrated in I matically assembled in proper relationship,

have thus been deposited on 4one assembling plate 21, that plate may be removed and another one put in its place; and the `pivot pins may be inserted, either 'by hand or other- Wise, in the 'registering holes in the assem assembling plate thus rebled chainl on vthe moved.

We claimas our invention-,t

1. .An assembling device for chains com# of slide rails all of which have corresponding ends in the same plane and alternate slidev rails of which have their .other .cor=

responding ends in different planes,v and means for selectively depositing links astride the two sets of alternate slide rails near said last-named ends, said slidev rails being 1nclined with their last-named ends higher soA that the links placed thereon will slide down toward the frstnamed-ends..

2. An assembling device for chains coinlposed ofl crotchedlinks, comprising a series `of sliderails all of which have correspond- 4ing ends in g the same plane and alternate slide rails off'which` have their other cor` responding 'ends'in 'different planes, and

means for selectively depositing links astride the two sets of-l alternate slide rails near said last-named ends.v Y

3. An assembling" device for chains composed o'f crotched links, comprising a .series 'fof slide rails, adjacent slide rails being arranged so` that the'linksthereon overlap properly to produce registration of the pitch holes, and Ameans for selectively placing said series, said slide rails being inclined so slide toward one' end thereof.

links on either set of alternate slide rails of pitch holes, and means for selectively plac ing links on either set of alternate slide4 rails of said series.

. 5. An assembling device for chains composed of crotched links, comprising a series of slide rails all ofvwhich have correspond ing ends in the same plane and alternate slide rails of which have their other corresponding ends in different planes, means for selectively depositing links astride the two sets of alternate slide rails near said last-named ends, said slide rails being inclined with their last-named endshigher so that the links placed thereon will slide down toward the first-named ends, and a removable assembling plate having ridges which when the assembling plate is in place register with the respective slide rails so that links may slide from said slide rails on to said ridges.

6. Any assembling device for chains composedof crotched links, comprising a series of slide rails all of which have corresponding ends in the same plane and alternate slide rails of which have their other corresponding ends in different planes, means for selectively depositing links astride the two sets of, alternate slide rails near said last-named ends, and a removable assembling plate having ridges which when the assembling plate is in place register with the respective slide rails so that the links may slide from said slide rails on to said ridges.

7. An assembling device for. chains com` posed of crotched links, comprising a series of slide rails, adjacent slide rails being arranged so that the links thereon' overlap properly to produce registration of the pitch holes, means for selectively placing links on either set of alternate slide rails of said series, said slide rails being inclined so that the links placed thereon will slide toward one end thereof, and a removable assembling plate having ridges which when the assembling plate is in place register with the respective slide rails so that links may slide from said slide rails on to said ridges.

8. An assembling device for chains composed of crotched links, comprising a series of slide rails, adjacent slide rails being arranged so lthat the properly to produce registration of the pitch holes, means for selectively placing links on either set of alternate slide rails of said series, and a removable assembling f plate havin ridges which when the assembling `plate .is in place register with the respective slide rails so that .links may slide from said slide rails on to said ridges.

v.9, A11 assembling device for .chains comlinks thereon overlap lposed of crotched links. comprising a series of slide rai-1s all' of which have corresponding ends in the same plane and alternate slide rails of which have their other corresponding endsin different planes, two groups of magazines of which each magazine holds a number of links arranged iiat side against flat side with their crotches registering, and means cooperating with each group of magazines and rwith a corresponding set of alternate slide rails of said lseries for removing a link from each magazine of saidgroup and depositing it astride a lslide rail. l A

10. An assembling-device for chains composed of crotched links, comprising a series of slide rails all of which have corresponding ends in the same plane and alternate Slide rails/of` which have their other corresponding ends in different planes, two groups of magazines of which each magazine holds a number of links arranged flat side against flat side with their crotches registering, and means coperating with each group of magazines and with a corresponding set of alternate slide rails of said series for removing a link from each magazine of said group and depositing it astride a slide rail near one end thereof, said slide rails being inclined so that the ends at which said links are deposited are the higher ends and the links will slide down the slide rails -by gravity toward the other ends thereof.

11. An assembling device for chains composed of crotchedlinks, comprisingl a series provided with a pocket which can be brought under the magazines of such group to receive a link from each of said magazines and can be moved to carry the links so received to and deposit them astride the slide rails of one of the sets of alternate slide rails of said series.

12. yAn assembling device for chains composed of crotched links comprising a series of slide railsallof which have corresponding ends inthe same plane and alternate slide rails of which havel their other corresponding ends in different planes, two groups of magazines of which each magazine holds a number of links arranged 'lat side against Hat side with their crotches and a rotatable cylinder asso-v each group-of `magazines and to receive .a lilik from each of said magazines and can be moved to carry the links so received to and deposit them astride the slide rails of one of the sets of alternate slide rails of said series at one end thereof, said slide rails being inclined so that. the ends at which said links are deposited are thehigher ends and the links will slide down the sliderails by gravity toward the other ends thereof.

13. An assembling device for chains composed of crotched links, comprising a series of slide rails, adjacent slide rails being arranged so thatthe links thereon overlap 15 properly to produce yregistration of the pitch holes, a pluralityiof magazines of ,Which eachholds a number of links arranged liat side against Hat 'side With'their crotches registering, and means coperating with said magazines and IWith saidfslide rails for selectively removing the links from -such magazines and placing. such links astride the respective slidel rails of either set of alternate slide rails 'of said series.'

.25 14. An assembling device for chains composed of crotched links, comprising a series o f slide rails', adjacent slide rails being ar- .'ranged so that the links thereon overlap properly to produce registration of the 3o pitchl holes, a plurality of magazines ofwhich .each holdsa number of -links arvranged fiat side against flat side with their crotches' registering, and means lcoperating with said magazines and with' said slide rails for' selectively removing the links from such magazines and placing suchl links astride the respective slide rails of either I set of alternate slide rails of said series near vone end of said slide rails, said slide rails 40`beinginclined so lthat the'ends at which said links are deposited are the higher ends andthe links will slide down the slide rails by gravity toward theother ends thereof. 15. An assembling device for `chains composed'of crotched links, comprising aseries of slide rails, adjacent -sliderails being arranged so that the links thereonoverlap properly to produce registration of the pitch holes, a plurality of magazines of which .50 each holds a number of links arranged flat 4 side agalnst flat side'with their crotches registering, and rotatable cylindrical means as- With pocketsv Which can ,be broug sociated with said magazines and,,.'lfovidedl t 'f'under selected ones of said magazines to' receivel links therefrom and can be rotated to carry the links sol received toand deposit 'them onto the slide rails of one of the sets of.

alternate slide rails of` said series.

00 16. assembling deviceof'chains com- 4v -posed .of crotched links, comprising a. seriesof slide rails, adjacent slide railsbeing vafr-4 ranged so that the links thereon overlap.A

properly .to produce: registration of the pitch.' 65 holes, -a plurality of magazines of which pitch of the chain, and means for selectively -range Aapart at one1 end bydistances vequalto the each holds a number lofllinks arranged fiat side against flat side with their crotches reg- -istering,' and rotatable cylindrical means as'- sociated with said magazines and provided, with. pockets which can vbe brought under selected ones of said magazines to receive links therefrom and can be rotated-to carry `the links so received to and deposit them nate slide rails of which have their opposite 8'5 l ends in different planes, two groups of mag.- azines of which each magazine holds a number of correspondingly arranged links, and means coperating with each group of magazines and with a corresponding set of alter- V90 nate slide rails of said seriesfor removing av link from each magazine of said group andl depositing it astride a slide rail 18. An assembling device forchains composed of crotched llnks, comprising a series 95` of slide rails, adjacent slide rails being arranged so that the linksy thereon loverlap properly to produce registration ofthe pitch holes,4 a plurality of magazinesof which each holds a number of correspondingly arranged links, and means coperating with said magazines and with said slide rails for selectively removing the links from suchmagazines and placing such links astride alternate slide 'railsof said series.

19. An assembling device for chains, com-v a series of guiding slide bars arrange to engage the chain links and spaced apart at one end by distances equal to the the respective `slide rails `of either set yof 105 placing the links on said slide bars at their other ends, said slide bars being arranged so that the links slide alng them lby gravity toward their lirst-named' ends. l

- 20. assembling device for chainsfcomprisin '.-."'agf; ser-iesv of gui'dinor slide bars-arengage the chain inks and spaced pitch vof the chain, and1 means for selectively 12e placing the links on said slide bars at their other ends.

l 21. An assembling device for chains, comprising a 4series ofV slides for receiving. the chain links, said -slides being so 'spaced at one end that links thereon overlap with f' their pitch holes registering, and means for selectlvely placing cha-in .-links'upo'n said slides near their opposite ends', said slides inclined so' that teau toasld 13d being' vea along them by gravity toward said firstnamed ends. v

Y22. An assembling device for chains, comprisin a series of slides for receiving the chain inks said slides being so spaced at one end that links thereon overlap With their pitch holes registering, and means for selectively placing'chain links up'on said slides near their opposite ends.

23. An assembling device for chains composed of crotched links, comprising a series of slide rails, adjacent slide rails being arranged so that the links thereon overlap properly to produce registration of the pitch holes, and means for automatically feeding links onv to and astride said slide rails.

24. An assembling device for chains composed of crotched links, comprising a-series of slide rails, adjacent slide rails being arranged so that the links thereon overlap properly to produce registration of the pitch holes, means for automatically feedinglinks on to and astride said slide rails, and a Vremovable assembling plate having ridges Which when the assembling plate is in place register with the respective slide rails so that links may slide from said sliderails on to said ridges.

p 25. An assembling device for chains com posed of crotched. links, comprisinga" series of'slide rails, adjacent slide rails being arranged so that the links thereon overlap.

properly to produce registration of the pitch holes, `a plurality of magazines of which each holds a number of correspondingly arranged links, and means coperating with said magazines and said sliderails for removing links from said magazines and placing them astride such slide rails.

26. An assembling device for chains composed of crotched links, comprising a series of slide rails, adjacent slide rails being ar- 'ranged so that the links thereon overlap properly to produce registration of the pitch holes, a plurality of magazines of which each holds a number of correspondingly arranged links, and rotatable cylindrical means associated with said magazines and provided with pockets `Which can be brought under said magazines to receive links therefrom and1 canbe rotated to carry the links so received to and deposit them/.on said "slide rails.

27. assembling device for cltainscom prising a series vof guiding slide bars arranged to engage the chain links and spaced apart atone end by distances e ual to the.

pitch of the chain, and means or placing links on said slide bars at their other ends, said slide bars being arranged so that the links slide along them by gravity l,toward their :first-named ends. l,

28. An assemblin device for chains, comprising a series ot guiding slide bars arranged to engage the chain links and spaced apart at one end by distances equal to the pitch of the chain, and means for placing links on said slide bars at their other ends. p

29. An assembling device for chains, comv prising a series of slides for receiving the chain links, said slides being so arrangedthat links correspondingly arranged on the slidesare in side-by-side relationship Withv their pitch holes registering, and means for automatically placing chain links upon said slides, said slides being inclined so that links tend to slide along them by'gravit-y away from the place at which they are deposited.

30. An assembling device for chains, comprising a series of slides rvfor receiving the chain linkssaid `slides being so arranged that links correspondingly arranged on the slides are in side-,by-side relationship with their pitch holes registering, and'lneans for automatically placing chain links upon said slides. g

31. An assemblingdevicefor chains, comprising a series of slides spaced properly I' for receiving the chain parts, and automatic means for selectively placing said chain parts upon said slides, said slides being inclined so that said chain parts tend to slide along them by gravity awag/ from the places at which they are deposite 32. An assembling device for chains, comprising aseries of slides spaced properly for receiving the chain parts, and automatic means for selectively' placing said chain parts upon said slides.,A f p in witness whereof we have hereunto set our hands at Indianapolis, indiana, this 21st day of April, A. D. one thousand-nine hundred and sixteen.l

erven n. SPENCER. enana eteams. 

